Vaikunda Malai, Athalavilai,
Kanyakumari
Vaikunda
Malai is a hill which is part of the Mahendragiri
Hills situated near Athalavilai of Kanyakumari district in the Western
Ghats of India. This hill has religious importance in the Ayyavazhi religion during the festival of Ayya Vaikunda Avatharam, the day of incarnation of Ayya
Vaikundar. During the celebration, two
processions, one from Thiruvananthapuram and other from Tiruchendur, reach Athalavilai and circle the hill. A Jyothi
(flame) is lit at the top of this hill to symbolize the birth of Vaikundar.
Unlike
other Ayyavazhi holy places, Vaikunda Malai is not mentioned in the Ayyavazhi scriptures. Athalavilai is located at about 12 Kms from Nagercoil, 20 Kms
from Kanyakumari, 9 Kms from Aralvaimozhi, 6 Kms from Thovalai, 12 Kms from
Boothapandi and 82 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Nagercoil and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.
